Iron deficiency in patients undergoing radiotherapy: Prevalence and clinical characteristics.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Anemia in patients undergoing radio-chemotherapy (RCTx) is often driven by iron deficiency and can impact quality of life and therapy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate how RCTx affects iron metabolism and identify additional influencing factors.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study on 156 patients with cancer undergoing RCTx, primarily with head and neck cancer, brain malignancies, or metastatic disease. Anemia was defined as a HB level < 13 mg/L in men and < 12 mg/L in women. Iron deficiency was defined as a transferrin saturation (TSAT) below 20 %. Further blood parameters, including iron, ferritin, and transferrin, were assessed at multiple timepoints before, during, and after RCTx.

Results

Prevalence of anemia was 53.8% prior to treatment and in

SUBMITTER: Schumacher S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12861250 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature